|
|
 |
|
|
|
Home
>
Where we work
>
South America
>
Ecuador
>
Carnival festival in Ecuador
|
|
Festival time in Ecuador
Carnival "The Feast Of Water"The Children of Ecuador love to get involved and celebrate at festival time. One of the most fun and exciting celebrations is Carnival Festival which is primarily a water festival, marking the onset of the rainy season and its beneficial effects on crop growth. It usually takes place sometime in February and March, depending on when the rains are most likely to come.
OriginsAlthough originally an indigenous tradition that pre-dates the European invasion of South America, it has taken on many aspects of Catholic festivities.
The indigenous peoples of the Andes traditionally celebrated four important feasts. The feast of the Sun, a male rite of passage ceremony whereby tribal chiefs handed down their weapons to their male sons. The 'Cusqui-Raymi' festival, celebrating the first growth of new corn crops each year and seeking protection of crops from the harsh elements. As legend has it, during the festival women and children played the drums, danced and sang while the men wore gold and silver breastplates and crowns during a ritual feast. Animals were sacrificed to the Sun Deity to ensure the successful growth of crops. The 'Citua', an Inca court festival which was celebrated at harvest time.
When Europeans, especially the Spanish, first arrived in South America, they encountered a diverse and mature indigenous culture. As part of the ensuing colonisation process, the European Christian calendar was imposed and local important festivals were aligned with key Christian festivals. The current 'Carnival' tradition stems from this period. There is a combination of various elements, as well as various Christian and non-Christian traditions. Dancing, ritual eating and drinking, the throwing of water and flour over friends and neighbours all form part of the Carnival celebrations. The name carnival derives from the Latin carnestolendas (liberation from the flesh) and is celebrated three days before the beginning of Lent in the Christian calendar.
Carnival - Joy and EqualityCarnival is truly the feast of joy and equality. It is one time when social and economic hierarchies temporarily disappear. Children and families that Plan works with all over the country celebrate at this time, the whole country joins in. Every household rich and poor, welcome guests during the three days of celebrations. However, in the province of Bolivar, the Guaranda Carnival is the most famous celebration of all.
The town squares become focal points for families from both Guaranda and surrounding rural communities. Children have fun inflating small balloons with water, and throwing them at passersby. They also throw flour, and in some rural communities they even throw coloured dyes over each other.
Food and drink abound and household guests are invited to eat a typical pork dish from the Ecuadorian highlands, called fritada, and drink a corn beverage, called chicha.
After three days, the celebration comes to an end, and everyone looks forward to the following year's Carnival.
Children and Carnival"It is winter-time now but the corn is doing well because Carnival has arrived. It is the time when we feel most happy. We have fun throwing water and flour at our family members and neighbours. Goodbye, with a great big hug" (Silvia, 8 year old child sponsored through Plan).
"It is winter and we have to work in the fields looking after our corn, wheat, and beans. But the feast of Carnival is approaching. It is a lot of fun. We take part in parades where people dress up in disguise; we dance and play with water. Good bye! I send you a strong hug and a kiss" (Lucia, a 13 year old).
Celebrating with song"Everybody plays, everybody laughs: Among all, such friendship, A time of happiness, Carnival my love." A typical song sung during Carnival, which embodies the true meaning of the goodwill and community feeling at this time. The children sing and celebrate and it is a time when all communities come together and children just enjoy being children.
|
|
Email this page |
Print this page|
Add to favourites
 What's this?
Back to top
Home
| About Plan
| What we do
| Where we work
| Newsroom
| Get involved
| Sponsor a child
| Plan media
| Visit a virtual village
|
|
|
|
